In need of a break but don't have much holiday allowance left? Maximise the
last of your leave with these mini-adventures.

Iceland’s glaciers and volcanic scenery might seem to make for dangerous cycling territory, but The Bike Company offers a secure 22km circular ride along the “steamy peninsula” Reykjanes, on the country's south-western tip. Starting in rolling landscapes, bikers then head on to Hópsnes, a beautiful cape dotted with light houses. Ease your muscles after the cycle with a dip in the Blue Lagoon, before being driven back to your hotel. Departures Wednesday and Sunday at 9am, minimum two participants. Prices from £203 pp, including lunch, all transport, helmet and bike hire, English-speaking guide and admission to the Blue Lagoon. (www.bikecompany.is ; +354 665-5600).

If you’ve never jumped into the sea off the Welsh coast, you’ve been missing out. Coasteering involves donning a wetsuit and hard hat and scrambling along the rocky coastline before leaping off into the swell, clambering back out of the sea, and doing it all again. It’s exhilarating: once you start, you won’t be able to get enough of it. You might even swim alongside an Atlantic grey seal.

Preseli Venture offers a Wicked Liquid coasteering weekend in the Pembrokeshire National Park from £215pp, including two nights’ accommodation at an eco-lodge, two half-day coasteers and a half-day hike, plus all meals from Friday supper to Sunday lunch. If you’re feeling even more energetic, the half-day hike can be replaced with a surfing or sea kayaking session for an extra £49 (www.preseliventure.co.uk; 01348 837709)

Mt Etna, Sicily

Snowshoeing on Mt Etna

Ditch dismal New Year’s Eve parties this year and head off to Mt Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, to welcome in 2014. Clip on your snowshoes for this four-day trip along snow-covered lava flows and up to the Bove Valley, with stunning views of the volcano’s four craters. There is an optional extra excursion by cable car and 4x4 to 2,900m, then up to the summit at 3,350m (€75, payable locally in cash). Accommodation for two nights is at Rifugio Sapienza, a mountain hut at 1,920m altitude, on Mt Etna’s south flank. This New Year’s departure also includes an extra day in Taormina, a charming town that dates from the Grecian period. Next departure is Monday, December 30; £999 pp. (www.exodus.co.uk; 0845 805 9207)

Husky driving in Swedish Lapland

Lose the city smog and breathe fresh, cold air for a few days – and learn to drive huskies while you’re at it. Even if you have only three nights to spare, you can pack in admiring views at Bothnian Bay and snowmobiling across the Luleå Archipelago.

This winter is also tipped as an excellent time to see the Northern Lights, so head out after dark in search of the celestial display. A new three-night trip with The White Circle includes a night at the Treehotel, a collection of stylish rooms suspended from trees in a forest. From £1,770 pp (two sharing) including flights from London, transfers, three nights’ full-board, all activities, guides and cold-weather clothes. The White Circle (www.thewhitecircle.com; 01670 785 044).

Adventure in the Scilly Isles

Combine white sand beaches and palm trees with kayaking, snorkelling and boating – all in the UK. The Hell Bay hotel on Bryher, the smallest of the Scilly Isles, is a hop, skip and a jump from the water’s edge, and alongside water sports can arrange horse riding along the beach (from £30pp). The hotel’s head chef Richard Kearsley uses crab from the waters surrounding the island, Tresco beef and clotted cream ice cream – all totally justifiable after a day on (or under) the water. Hell Bay hotel has suites from £135 pppn including breakfast and dinner. (www.hellbay.co.uk; 01720 422947)

The view over the village of Deia in the Tramuntana mountains, Majorca

Mountain biking on Majorca

The Balearics are not all about partying and sunbathing. Choose your own route on a four-night cycling break on Majorca, opting between the Tramuntana mountain range (sweat-inducing but offering fantastic views over lakes and the coastline) or the woods and fields in land (pretty and less sweaty). The package includes unlimited use of the Vespasian spa at the hotel, as well as a deep-tissue massage, and energy drinks and bars. From £1,085 (valid October 9-12 and October 20 onwards, with Bailey Robinson (www.baileyrobinson.com; 01488 689700)

Sea kayaking in Jersey

Jersey Kayak Adventures offers various coastal tours – meaning you never stray too far from land – with the opportunity to pass between sea cliff pinnacles and pink granite rock faces. If weather permits, one trail allows kayakers to land in the enormous cave Le Creux Gabourel (“The Gabourel hollow”). Adults £37.50 and children £27 for a 2.5-hour session (www.jerseykayakadventures.co.uk; 01534 853138).

Visitors can catch the bus from St Helier to the various kayak drop off points on the coast – those arriving by bus get a £2 discount (www.libertybus.je). The Radisson Blu hotel in the capital has doubles from £89, room only (www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-jersey; 01534 671100).

To complete an active weekend on Jersey, there are numerous self-guided tours along the coast – the 6.75 mile Le Grand Etacquerel to Devil’s Hole route will require good walking shoes, but promises excellent views (www. jersey.com).